Arsenal are currently in Germany and due to play FC Cologne on Sunday – but it is reported that by then, RVP could already be a United player.

Ferguson’s side recently had an offer for the forward turned down, while Italian side Juventus and Manchester City have also had enquiries rejected.

City have recently admitted defeat in their chase for Van Persie when boss Roberto Mancini said he was not expecting the Dutchman to join his side.

That left Italian side Juventus and Premier League runners-up United as major players in the chase, with the English side now seemingly in pole position.

Van Persie, who has hit 96 goals in 149 Premier League starts, was named both the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year and won the Football Writers’ Association award for his displays last season.

And despite scoring 36 goals during last season’s campaign for the London club, Van Persie is understood to want a move away from the Emirates, with Arsenal keen to recoup a fee on their striker, whose current deal expires at the end of the season.

Some content was stripped by our security filters, but is should be possible for one of your Editors to embed the content for you.